Page 92 of Worth the Risk

“Yes…” She hesitates. “He said he left when he did before you and Riley could fuck up his life more than you already had.”

I wish I could slap him.To say we fucked up his life pisses me off.

“I told him he has no integrity and is irresponsible. He said that could be said about you, then remarked that you and Nash were still hooking up after that night. I told him you were only friends, and he said he should have just been your friend because you give good benefits. I slapped him,” she says with a shrug of her shoulders.

Taking a moment, I let everything sink in. There’s so much I could say about it, but I’m too angry at his careless words to speak.

Eventually, I find my voice. “First, Nash and I never hooked up that first night oranynight after that. Second, I have no integrity and responsibility? Who in the hell does he think he is? Who does he think has been taking care of his daughter for four years? Not him, not even financially, really. The money he gave me went into a trust for her. I didn’t take one cent of his fucking money. I don’t want it, but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve it. She will have access to it when she turns twenty-one. And third, damn straight, I give good benefits. His loss.”

Sierra bursts out laughing and high-fives me. “Atta girl.”

Although in the past five years, I’ve not really been getting good benefits myself. No guy since Leo has been able to light a switch in me like he did.

I dated one guy, semiseriously. We slept together a couple of times, but I couldn’t force myself to feel something I didn’t. The sex was not the explosiveness I had with Leo, and I don’t know if I’ll ever have that again with someone.

* * *

We’re on our second round of drinks, and I admit, I’m feeling a little tipsy already. Sierra’s new man is not here yet, but he texted her to say he’s on his way and bringing someone with him.God, I hope this isn’t a blind date setup.I asked Sierra, but she insists it isn’t.

The club has two bars on different levels. We’re on the bottom floor with a dance floor, and a DJ is playing the latest club hits. The interior is black and white with striking blue lights floating around the club.Ice blue, like someone’s eyes.

Nope, not going there.

A handsome man with brown hair wraps an arm around Sierra’s waist and whispers into her ear. She smiles and turns to face him, and next thing I know, they are making out like a couple of teenagers. There’s no shame in their PDA.

Sierra eventually remembers I’m here and introduces us as the man takes a seat. “Kason, this is my best friend, Ky. Ky, this is Kason.”

Hmm… Kason.Unusual name, but where have I heard it before?

“Hello, Kason,” I greet, holding my hand out.

Kason shakes my hand. “Hello, Ky. How are you?”

“Good. And you?”

“I’m great. How can I not be with this stunning woman by my side?” He smiles as he puts an arm around Sierra and pulls her into him.

Oh, I like him.Kason looks around, and when he spots who he’s searching for, he waves them over.

Peering in the direction of where he waved, I almost fall off my stool when I’m hit by a wave of nostalgia.

There stands Leo, shooting daggers at me with his eyes.

I am not prepared for this. I thought about what it’d be like and what I would say if I saw him again, but right now, I’m speechless.

Neither of us says anything, both taking each other in. I’ve not forgotten him.How could I?This man became my entire world that summer. I loved him with everything I had, and he crushed me.

By the anger on his face, he’s not forgotten me either.

Kason must sense the unease because he asks, “Do you two know each other?”

“Oh shit.” Sierra gasps.

Leo’s walls fortify as he takes the seat next to me. He swallows a big gulp of his drink and slams it on the table.He still smells good.

Hell, he still looks good.

He turns his angry gaze to me. “Hello, Kylie.”

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